Photographer Kristīne Grīnvalde is as bright as the photos she creates. I'm not at all surprised that Kristini, as a wedding photographer, tends to choose a couple that doesn't shy away from colors and dares to experiment. Such attracts such because

Kristini is not only characterized by two bright colors - green and fuchsia, but also by the fact that she has radically changed her life - not driven by circumstances, but by listening to her heart,

left a ten-year career in economics and finance to find fulfillment in the creative sphere. Now Kristīne is sitting across from me in a beautiful square, drinking a big mug of cocoa because she doesn't like coffee, and talking about her work, literally beaming with happiness.

How would you say yourself - what was Kristīne before becoming a photographer?

I can safely call myself a perfectionist who will plan everything down to the last detail to make it perfect - be it a business visit or a vacation, or the choice of colors when making repairs at home, or table decoration for the holidays. For almost ten years I had worked in finance and economics in the private and public spheres. The work was diverse - I cooperated with various world-renowned companies, got to know the cultures of other countries, worked in fantastic teams. No matter how exciting the previous works seemed, it did not leave the feeling that it is not for life. Already after graduating from high school, I had a desire to connect my life with something creative, however, at that time it seemed that it was almost impossible to build a career in the field of art with a stable salary. Therefore, economics and finance studies followed, which, looking back now, taught me discipline and a business approach to work.

And then, at the age of 27, you asked yourself the question, what will you be when you grow up, and decided to radically change your occupation and become a wedding photographer?

The first impulse that I would like to radically change my profession and work in the long cherished creative field was when my friend and I had decided to secretly get married in Gibraltar. After marriage, I realized that wedding photography really appeals to me and inspires me. I decided that I should finally follow my dream of working in the creative field and enrolled in the Birutas Magele Professional Photography School. At that time I clearly knew that photography would become my profession. Becoming a full-time photographer and leaving the main job was not the easiest decision - giving up this security cushion, a stable and good monthly salary and social guarantees. But I realized that if I want to take pictures professionally and seriously, then I have to do it full time, not only on weekends.

It seems that I was helped by an angel from above who gave me the impulse to make a decision in one day,

and by a lucky coincidence I was on the loose after a few days. My eyes were shining and this decision gave me a great sense of freedom, but the people around me said that I was literally radiating energy.

Your own wedding reminds you of a plot worthy of a Hollywood movie - going to get married as a couple without saying a word to anyone. Now that almost 10 years have passed, would you do things differently?

Definitely not. It was a great decision - yes, we didn't have a party with friends and family, but the two of us enjoyed a wonderful honeymoon combined with a wedding day in picturesque Andalusia, we didn't have to worry about others on our holiday, we were able to fully enjoy it and the memories of it are now stored in the most beautiful photos. A wedding for two may sound very simple, but a little planning was also involved, even if it was choosing a venue and completing official documents. Gibraltar is often called the Las Vegas of Europe because the marriage registration procedure is very simple and fast. When marrying as a couple and keeping this fact a secret, you cannot do without witnesses. Quite by chance, the ushers of the couple who got married before us became like that. They signed our marriage certificate, we presented the gifts we had brought from Latvia, and after five minutes we parted. This could be the story of how two strangers come into your life, leave such a noticeable mark, and leave.

And in fact you have the same role - to leave a noticeable mark in the lives of other couples. Do you still remember the first wedding you photographed?

Of course, I remember - I photographed the first wedding for my friends as the second photographer. I offered it myself because I wanted to learn and better understand what it means to take on such a big responsibility. Later, the first wedding followed, where I was already hired as an official photographer. If you do your work with great dedication and inspiration, customers are happy and continue to recommend.

The feeling of being a part of the wedding day is already exciting, but when you are given the opportunity to participate in the further process of forming a new family, those feelings are truly indescribable.

As the circle of independent clients expands every year, it is more and more difficult not to lose yourself in the saturated work schedule, therefore an integral part of a photographer's daily life is the search for a balance between the intensity of work and one's personal life.

What describes you as a wedding photographer?

I am inspired by the tenderness that I try to see, to notice on the wedding day between the couple. I like the compositions and purity of colors in the photos.

If I had to describe my photography style in three words, it would be about softness, colors and emotions.

I also take black and white photos, but colors give me much more inspiration.

Clients are increasingly looking for a photographer that matches their personality, I myself am a calm person, my couples also mainly want thoughtful, calm and elegant photos. I will not be the right photographer for people who imagine their wedding day as a crazy adventure and are looking for a photographer who "stands on their toes" with them.

What are your observations - what are the current wishes of couples when choosing a photographer?

More and more couples think to like not only the photographer's style and pictures, but also the personal aspect to work.

It's so much easier to shoot with someone you're on the same page with, share a common vision of the perfect wedding day, and are easy and great to get along with.

When meeting before the wedding, I always ask each couple what they expect from the photos, but there is no clear answer. Most often, people say that they want emotional, unposed pictures, captured moments, so that the guests and details are not forgotten in the photos. Daudzi pāri vēlas organizēt pirmskāzu fotosesiju, tas ir lielisks veids kā iemēģināt savus spēkus un atbrīvoties kameras priekšā, ja iepriekš viņi nekad nav fotografējušies pie profesionāla fotogrāfa.

Until the wedding, it is important for me to maintain cordial communication with my couple, that is why I try not to take on too many weddings, so that I can find time for such a personal connection with each one, often we become friends before the wedding and the more the couple trusts the photographer, the better the pictures will turn out.

Now, almost 10 years later, would you change anything in your choice of photographer?

I would definitely discuss more with the photographer what I expect from him. I remember that when choosing a photographer, I was attracted by the relaxed emotions in the photos and also by the feminine portraits of brides that I saw in his portfolio. However, when communicating about aspects of wedding photography, I did not tell in detail what appeals to me, or if there are any special wishes. When I received the wedding photos, which were undeniably very beautiful, there was also a slight feeling of disappointment - I wanted photos not only together, but also a beautiful close-up portrait. Based on personal experience, now when I photograph weddings for my brides, I like to create soft and elegant portraits.

It is said that human eyes are the mirror of the soul, I try to capture the souls of those particles in my photographs.

As you already mentioned, the wedding day is long, full of many emotions, which moments are your favorite on this day?

One of the favorite parts of the day is the preparation of the bride, compared to the rest of the day, where the rush often creeps in,

the bride's morning is like a blossoming flower opening to the morning sun, full of peace and happiness.

Also, I think it is a very special moment when the groom meets the bride for the first time on the wedding day. Abroad, this tradition is called first look , or the moment the couple meets, in Latvia this tradition is not yet so popular, it is becoming less and less common, but brides are still bought or there are couples who want to meet in church. In such cases, I tend to ask what the couple wants more - to see each other in a private atmosphere in a special place for both of them, or to be in the center of attention, at the beginning of the ceremony, where all the guests will watch this moment. Either way, it's up to the couple to do what they want. It is their day - only and only.

A man should really do what he wants, just like you did...

I can safely say that I adore my work and wouldn't trade it for anything else,

I admit that I will take pictures as long as I can hold a camera in my hand. My dream came true much faster than I would have thought or planned, but it took me almost ten years to listen to the creative voice of my heart, to understand what really inspires me.

I wish the same for others - to follow your dreams, because dreams do come true.